Kyle Harrison and Nike, STX Bring Lacrosse Exposure to Harlem

Exposure is everything for kids growing up in inner-city, under-served communities. Understanding different school and career options at that young age where they're growing up is very important, especially because images of success can be simple, trivial and limited. The more opportunity, the more chance for success.

On July 7 and 8, pro lacrosse player Kyle Harrison teamed up with Nike, STX Lacrosse, Powerade and Influence Marketing to bring a rising sport -- lacrosse -- to an untapped neighborhood: Harlem and its famous St. Nicholas Park. The idea of the event was originally conceived by Influence Marketing and Team HUNC (standing for “Harlem’s Up-and-Coming”), which exposes kids in the community to sports and new activities.

On both days, Harrison hosted camps to provide a total of roughly 100 kids, ages 8-15, hands-on instruction, such as skills and athletic training. Harrison also provided new perspectives about lacrosse, including current opportunities to get involved, in order to emphasize the sport can one day grant them entrance into college and enhance their future accomplishments on and off the field. During the clinics, Nike showcased their Vapor Strobe Training eyewear.

In addition to Harrison, there were a couple of seasoned lacrosse coaches participating in the two-day event, which was also designed to raise awareness for the fastest-growing team sport in the country. There are now 250,000 youth participants nationwide and lacrosse is being played at more than 600 colleges and 2,000 high schools. The sport is even going global with teams throughout Europe, Australia and parts of Asia. Lacrosse’s increased popularity in the past few years, especially in the New York and New Jersey areas, represents a great opportunity for inner-city youth to get involved, now.

About Kyle HarrisonKyle Harrison is a professional lacrosse player on the LXM PRO Tour. He was on the U.S. Team, and the ?rst pick in the 2005 Major League Lacrosse draft by the former New Jersey Pride after an impressive collegiate career at Johns Hopkins University, where he was a three-time All-American -- twice earning first-team accolades. Kyle earned the McLaughlin Award as the nation's top collegiate mid?elder in 2004 and 2005 and received the Tewaaraton Award, given to the national player of the year after leading the Blue Jays to the 2005 NCAA Championship. He was also named the USILA Player of the Year following his senior campaign. Overall, while at Johns Hopkins, Kyle led them to a remarkable 55-6 record and their ?rst national title in 18 years.

About NikeNike, Inc. is the world's largest seller of athletic footwear and apparel. The company employs more than 33,000 people globally, including more than 5,500 at its worldwide headquarters in Beaverton, Ore. Nike sells products in more than 180 countries around the globe and it reported revenues of $19.2 billion for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2009.

About STX LacrosseSTX is a global sporting goods leader in the sports of lacrosse, field hockey and golf. With its 1970 introduction of the first synthetic lacrosse head, STX ushered in the modern era of what is now the fastest growing team sport. Based in Baltimore, the home of lacrosse, STX has been universally recognized for innovation in product design and development. STX continues to strive for new performance standards in sporting goods equipment at the highest levels of competition.

About Influence MarketingInfluence Marketing is a sports culture and lifestyle marketing agency with a core focus on innovative consumer engagements that connect the brand and consumer in an authentic space. The company’s value lies in being a proactive think tank to connect the dots and deliver premium opportunities for clients to influence and engage.